Portable wall-partition

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a portable wall-partition that includes a wall panel that having a first edge and a second edge transversely connected to the first edge. A swivel wheel mechanism is connected to a central position of the first edge. At least one end panel that has an intermediate portion and a hinged connection connecting the intermediate portion of the end panel to the second edge of the wall panel are also included in the portable wall-partition. Alternatively, the portable wall-partition can include a plurality of wall panels. Each of the plurality of wall panels has a lower edge and a transverse side edge; and each of the plurality of wall panels is connected at its transverse side edge to a successive wall panel. A swivelable elongate wheel frame is connected at its midpoint to a midpoint of the lower edge. A first wheel is connected to a first end of the elongate wheel frame, and a second wheel is connected to a second end of the elongate wheel frame. Alternatively, a linkage can be included inside each of the wall panels and used to swivel the swivel wheel mechanism out toward a position that is perpendicular to the plane of the wall panel.

This is a Continuation Application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/546,309, which was filed under 35 U.S.C. § 111, with the filing date of Oct. 12, 2006, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention is related to a freestanding portable wall-partition that is collapsible for easy storage.

BACKGROUND

There are times when it is desired to divide large areas, such as rooms or halls, into smaller more private areas. One method of doing this is by the use of movable wall panels which are suspended from, and move on tracks attached to, the ceiling and/or floor. However, this method is relatively expensive and inflexible.

Another method of dividing large areas into smaller private areas is to use movable free-standing wall units. This method is relatively inexpensive and it permits the formation of areas of a wide variety of shapes; but the free standing wall units present storage and handling problems and do not allow complete flexibility in the placement of the wall units relative to obstructions such as walls and support posts.

Hinges are well known for connecting members that are to rotate or pivot with respect to each other. One of the members may or may not be stationary. Examples of members that pivot with respect to each other are wall panels and room partitions. Likewise, examples where one member stays stationary include doors, gates, lids and covers. The most commonly known hinge is generally referred to as the piano hinge. The piano hinge may be described as having flat or plate portions that are secured along the edges of the respective two members so that the members arc, thereby pivoting with respect to each other. The edges of the hinge plates of the piano hinge have fingers or tabs that are formed into a complete loop portion for capturing a pin or rod. The tabs extending from opposing plates are staggered to permit them to interleave and become aligned with opposing tabs. The aligned looped tabs permit the pin or rod to be captured by the tabs and permit the hinge plates to pivot or rotate with respect to each other.

Piano hinges, though, have two significant drawbacks: they typically do not permit 360° articulation with respect to the two members, but most commonly allow 180° articulation; and they align the edges of the members closely together and, as a consequence, renders them prone to pinching fingers or other objects that happen to get placed in the vicinity of the hinge during such pivotal movement. This is largely because both hinge plate portions arc close together and both pivot about a single axis.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIVE ASPECTS

An embodiment of the portable wall-partition includes a wall panel that has a first edge and a second edge. The second edge is transversely connected to the first edge, which means that the two edges can be relatively perpendicular to each other; however, the edges are not limited to such a configuration. Also included in this embodiment is a swivel wheel mechanism that is connected to a central position of the first edge. At least one end panel having an intermediate portion is connected via a hinged connection at its intermediate portion to the second edge of the wall panel. The swivel wheel mechanism includes at least one arm that is supported by at least one caster positioned at a first end of the arm. The arm is rotatable about an axis, and the axis is defined by the central position of the first edge of the wall panel.

The wall-partition of this embodiment can include at least one additional wall panel and a bracket connecting the first wall panel to the additional wall panel. A second end panel can be connected to an end of the wall-partition that is opposite that of the first end panel, thereby providing greater stability for longer wall-partitions. Further, in longer room wall-partitions, intermediate panels can be inserted between particular panels in a perpendicular fashion to provide greater stability to the overall wall-partition. Lastly, a hinged connection, like a piano hinge, or a geared hinge, can be added in place of the bracket between the second end panel and the additional wall panel.

Another embodiment of the portable wall-partition includes a plurality of wall panels that can be made of a singular construction to reduce manufacturing costs. Each of the plurality of wall panels has a lower edge, which is shaped depending on the needs of the user. For example, an oval panel will have a lower edge that is curved, while a rectangular panel will have a lower edge that is relatively straight. The panel will thus also have a transverse side edge that is shaped depending on the needs of the user. Each of the plurality of panels is preferably attached to a successive panel at the transverse side edge.

This embodiment of the wall-partition further includes a swivelable elongate wheel frame that is connected at its midpoint to a midpoint of the lower edge. A first wheel is connected to a first end of the elongate wheel frame, and a second wheel is connected to a second end of the elongate wheel frame. The plurality of panels should be substantially identical to each other in the placement of the swivelable elongate wheel frame on the lower edge of the panel. The remainder of each panel can be any shape that the user desires.

Additionally, in this embodiment, the wall-partition can also include a first skewed end panel that is connected at a first planar surface thereof to a first end panel of the plurality of wall panels. In this configuration, the skewed end panel is not necessarily limited to an orientation perpendicular to the first end panel, but is preferably oriented in such a way that it is not parallel with the first end panel. Thus, the skewed end panel serves to provide added stability for the entire portable wall-partition. Further, a second skewed end panel that has a second planar surface can be connected at its second planar surface to a second end panel of the plurality of wall panels.

Also, each of the plurality of panels in this embodiment can further comprise a plurality of sound absorbing ribs on its respective surfaces. Similarly, the first skewed end panel and the second skewed end panel can include a plurality of sound absorbing ribs on their surfaces. A bracket or hinge can be used to connect each of the wall panels to its adjoining wall panel so that the panels are allowed to collapse into a folded configuration.

A further embodiment of the portable wall-partition includes a first wall panel and a second wall panel. The first and second wall panels both have a wheeled swivel bracket that is longitudinally connected to a bottom edge of each of the wall panel. A bracket hinge connects the first wall panel to the second wall panel. A linkage connects the bracket hinge to the swivel wheel mechanism so that the swivel wheel mechanism of the first and of the second wall panels extends toward a position perpendicular to that of the first and the second wall panels. The linkage can be a four-bar linkage or a belt linkage.

Variations of this embodiment of the wall-partition can include a bracket hinge gear, which extends from an axis of rotation of the bracket hinge into the first wall panel. Alternatively, a swivel wheel mechanism gear can be used rather than the bracket hinge gear and can similarly extend from an axis of rotation of the swivel wheel mechanism into the first wall panel. The linkage between the bracket hinge gear and the swivel mechanism gear can be a chain linkage or a belt linkage.

This embodiment can also include a first end panel that is substantially perpendicularly connected to the first wall panel using a first end panel hinge. Similarly, a second end panel can be connected to the second wall panel using a second end panel hinge. The first end panel and the second end panel should each include at least one caster on a bottom edge thereof; however, casters are not necessary. Lastly, each of the panels of this embodiment of the wall-partition can include a plurality of sound absorbing ribs.

A person having ordinary skill in the art will understand that features from each of the embodiments that are not present in the other embodiments can be added to those embodiments missing the respective features.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the portable wall-partition;

FIG. 2 shows a swivel wheel mechanism of the embodiment of the portable wall-partition of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of the portable wall-partition;

FIG. 4 shows a bottom view of the embodiment of the portable wall-partition shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 shows a top view of the embodiment of the portable wall-partition of FIG. 3 in a folded configuration;

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a further embodiment of the portable wall-partition;

FIG. 7 shows a belt and gear mechanism in an interior view of the embodiment of the portable wall-partition of FIG. 6; and

FIG. 8 shows a four-bar linkage in an interior view of the embodiment of the portable wall-partition of FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any embodiment described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments.

An embodiment of the portable wall-partition 2 is shown in FIG. 1. This embodiment includes at least one wall panel 4 that has a first edge 6 and a second edge 8. The second edge 8 is transversely connected to the first edge 6, which means that the two edges can be relatively perpendicular to each other; however, the edges are not limited to such a configuration. Also included in this embodiment is a swivel wheel mechanism 10 that is connected to a central position 12 of the first edge 6. At least one end panel 14 having an intermediate portion 16 is connected via a hinged connection 18 at its intermediate portion 16 to the second edge 8 of the wall panel 4.

As shown with more particularity in FIG. 2, the swivel wheel mechanism 10 includes an arm 20 supported by at least one caster 22 positioned at a first end of the arm 20, the arm 20 is rotatable about an axis, which is defined by the central position 12 of the first edge 6 of the wall panel 4.

Additionally, with further reference to FIG. 1, this embodiment can include at least one additional wall panel 24 and an additional bracket 26 connecting the first wall panel 4 to the additional wall panel 24. Also, a second end panel 28 can be connected to an end 30 of the portable wall-partition 2 that is opposite that of the first end panel 4, thereby providing greater stability for longer portable wall-partitions, i.e., partitions with more than two wall panels. Lastly, a double hinged connection 32 can be added in place of the bracket between the second end panel and the additional wall panel. Non-limiting examples of usable double hinged connections include a piano hinge or a geared hinge. When using a piano hinge or a geared hinge, the hinge should have two axes of rotation. For example, when using a piano hinge, the hinge should include three brackets. The first bracket of the piano hinge attaches to a wall panel, an intermediate (second) bracket of the piano hinge connects the first bracket of the piano hinge to the third bracket of the piano hinge; and the third bracket of the piano hinge attaches to an adjacent wall panel.

Alternatively, while the embodiment of FIG. 1 shows two wall panels, it is contemplated within the scope of this embodiment that further additional wall panels may be included in the wall partition. A skilled artisan will recognize that each additional wall panel will be interconnected in a likewise manner as discussed above.

A second embodiment 102 of the portable wall-partition is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 and includes a plurality of wall panels 104 a, 104 b, and 104 c that can be made of a singular construction to reduce manufacturing costs. Each of the plurality of wall panels has a lower edge 106, which is shaped depending on the needs of the user. Each panel also has a transverse side edge 108 that is shaped depending on the needs of the user. Each of the plurality of panels is attached to a successive panel at the respective transverse edge 108. Each of the plurality of panels includes a wheel assembly 109 that includes a swivelable elongate wheel frame 110 that is connected at its midpoint to a midpoint of the lower edge 106. A first wheel 112 is connected to a first end 116 of the elongate wheel frame 110, and a second wheel 114 is connected to a second end 118 of the elongate wheel frame 110.

The elongate wheel frame 110 is swivelable to a position substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of each of the plurality of wall panels. When stored, the elongate wheel frame 110 is repositioned to a configuration that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of each of the plurality of wall panels.

With further reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, this embodiment of the portable wall-partition 102 also includes a first skewed end panel 120 that is connected at a first planar surface 122 thereof to a first end panel 124 of the plurality of wall panels. The skewed end panel 120 is not necessarily limited to an orientation perpendicular to the wall panel, but is preferably oriented in such a way that it is not parallel with the first end panel 124. In this manner, the first skewed end panel 120 serves to provide added stability for the entire portable wall-partition 102. With similarity to the embodiment of FIG. 1, a second skewed end panel can be connected to a second end panel of the plurality of wall panels.

Also, each of the plurality of panels 104 a-104 c in this embodiment includes a plurality of sound absorbing ribs. The sound absorbing ribs 126 a, 126 b, 126 c, and 126 d are placed either on the surface of the wall panel or within the wall panel and covered by a fabric or other material that lets sound pass through to the sound absorbing ribs. Similarly, the first skewed end panel 120 (and the second skewed end panel) includes a plurality of sound absorbing ribs 126 e in its surface. Lastly, a bracket 128 (or hinge) connects each of the wall panels to an adjoining wall panel so that the panels are allowed to collapse into a folded configuration. The bracket 128 is placed at either the top of the wall panel, at the bottom of the wall panel or at both the top and the bottom of the wall panel.

When not in use, the plurality of wall panels can be folded so that one panel 104 a lies flat against an adjoining panel 104 b. FIG. 5 shows a top view of the plurality of wall panels in a folded configuration.

As shown in FIG. 6, a further embodiment of the portable wall-partition 202 includes a first wall panel 204 and a second wall panel 206. The first and second wall panels 204 and 206 each include a swivel wheel mechanism 208 that is longitudinally connected to a bottom edge 210 of each of the wall panels 204 and 206. A bracket hinge 212 connects the first wall panel 204 to the second wall panel 206.

As can be seen in FIGS. 7 and 8, the interior of the first and the second wall panels 204 and 206 includes a linkage 214 that connects the bracket hinge 212 to the swivel wheel mechanism 208 so that the swivel wheel mechanism 208 of the first and second wall panels 204 and 206 extends toward a position perpendicular to that of the first and the second wall panels.

The linkage 214 can be a chain linkage or a belt linkage. FIG. 7 shows the linkage with a belt 216. Alternatively, however, a chain similar to that used in a bicycle can be used with a gear. The belt 216 wraps around a first gear 218, which is coaxial with an axis of rotation 222 of the bracket hinge 212, and second gear 220, which is coaxial with an axis of rotation 224 of the swivel wheel mechanism 208. When a person unfolds the portable wall-partition 202, the first gear 218 rotates. This rotation causes the belt 216 to rotate, thus causing the second gear 220 to rotate, thereby rotating the swivel wheel mechanism 208. Therefore, the swivel wheel mechanism extends or retracts based on the configuration of the wall panels 204 and 206 with respect to one another. Also, this embodiment is not limited to two wall panels but can also include a lesser or greater number of wall panels all similarly configured or configured differently based on the desires of the user.

A four-bar linkage 226 shown in FIG. 8 can be used in place of a belt or chain linkage. The four-bar linkage 226 has a frame 228 that is shaped like a “T.” The frame has a post 231 that is coaxial with an axis of rotation of the bracket hinge 212. An upper, horizontal section of the frame 228 is connected at a first end to a first rocker arm 230 and at a second end to a second rocker arm 232. A crank 234 is positioned coaxially with an axis of rotation of the swivel wheel mechanism 208. Each rocker arm 230 and 232 extends from the frame 228 and connects to opposing ends of the crank 234. Thus, when the frame is rotated by opening the wall panels 204 and 206, the rocker arms 230 and 232 will rotate the crank 234 thereby causing the swivel wheel mechanism 208 to rotate to an extended or a concealed configuration, depending on the direction of rotation.

The previous description of the disclosed embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. For example, one or more elements can be rearranged and/or combined, or additional elements may be added. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein. 

1. A wall-partition comprising: a rectangular wall panel comprising a planar face, a first edge and a second edge connected transversely to said first edge; a swivel wheel mechanism connected to a central position mid-point of said first edge; at least one planar end panel comprising an end panel face and an intermediate portion on the face of said end panel; and a hinged connection connecting said intermediate portion of said end panel to said second edge of said wall panel; wherein said swivel wheel mechanism is comprised of an arm supported by at least one caster at a first end of said arm, said arm being rotatable about an axis, and said axis being defined by said central position of said first edge.
 2. A wall-partition as recited in claim 1, further comprising at least one additional wall panel connected at a longitudinal end thereof to a longitudinal end of said wall panel.
 3. A wall-partition as recited in claim 2 further comprising a bracket connecting said wall panel to said at least one additional wall panel.
 4. A wall-partition as recited in claim 2 further comprising a second end panel connected to an end of the wall-partition that is opposite said at least one end panel.
 5. A wall-partition as recited in claim 4 further comprising a hinged connection between said second end panel and said at least one additional wall panel.
 6. A wall-partition comprising: a plurality of wall panels; each of said plurality of wall panels comprising a lower edge and a transverse side edge, and each of said plurality of wall panels being connected at said transverse side edge to a successive wall panel; a swivelable elongate wheel frame connected at a midpoint of said elongate wheel frame to a midpoint of each said lower edge, a first wheel connected to a first end of said elongate wheel frame, and a second wheel connected to a second end of said elongate wheel frame.
 7. A wall-partition as recited in claim 6 further comprising a first skewed end panel having a first planar surface substantially perpendicularly connected at a midline of said first planar surface to a first wall panel at a first end of said plurality of wall panels.
 8. A wall-partition as recited in claim 7 further comprising a second skewed end panel having a second planar surface substantially perpendicularly connected at a midline of said second planar surface to a second wall panel at a second end of said plurality of wall panels.
 9. A wall-partition as recited in claim 8, said plurality of wall panels each further comprising a plurality of sound absorbing ribs in a first surface of each of said plurality of wall panels.
 10. A wall-partition as recited in claim 9, said first skewed end panel and said second skewed end panel each further comprising a plurality of sound absorbing ribs in said first planar surface and in said second planar surface.
 11. A wall-partition as recited in claim 6 further comprising a bracket connecting at least one of said plurality of wall panels to another of said plurality of wall panels. 12-20. (canceled) 